Personality and Political Activity of Otto von Bismarck Through the Eyes of the Russian Political Elite during the second half of the 19th century

The attention towards the figure of Bismarck, known as the "Iron Chancellor" was connected with the fact that when he was in the highest positions of the government the relations between the Russian Empire and Germany were developing along very dramatic lines. Bismarck was one of the very few state officials who respected the Russian Empire and considered it as one of the most important participants in the European political game. According to his understanding, the views of the Russian political elite were very important to the governments of every European country. Taking into consideration these circumstances, it is important to trace the different aspects of the public opinion of the Russian political and intellectual elite which were expressed in the documents of the second half of the 19th century.